With me flying next week for the first time in a couple of years I thought I would take a look at the best advice on what to do if you are unfortunate enough to be on a plane that is about to crash.

Incidentally the header image is of a Wizzair plane simply because that is the carrier that I am flying with, and I must categorically state from the outset that Wizzair have never experienced a crash or major incident since their founding in 2003.

They are a budget airline and as a rule of thumb they are twice as expensive as Ryanair, but four times better and thus they are better value for money. However, if you are considering flying with them please remember that even having said that, they are still a budget carrier.

In my personal experience, having flown with them multiple times - too many to mention, but 50 might not be an exaggeration - the closest it came was on the last flight when, as we were about to board, we were informed that the flight would be delayed as the plane experienced technical difficulties on its inward bound leg.

The only other thing that comes to mind is when I am sure that the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) kicked in during one flight. In principle and totally unconnected with ground radar, when too aeroplanes come into close enough contact with each other (I don't know the range but maybe a mile for example) the two of them automatically communicate with each other and one will drop its altitude by maybe 200 metres and the other will climb by 200 metres and thus any potential collision is avoided. The system is automated and works independent of human controls. There was one occasion, when during the flight I felt the plane I was on suddenly climb for a few seconds before leveling off and sure enough, when I looked out the window another plane flew directly underneath us at a perpendicular angle. 

I can't say 100%, but I am fairly confident that it was TCAS in action... ... and yes I am fairly well informed because I watch a lot of National Geographic's Air Crash Investigation.

So if you find yourself in a situation where a crash is likely to occur there are some practical things you can do in preparation.

1. Ensure you are carrying your passport and phone (and potentially money) on your person, you'll need them once you're on the ground and in the worst case scenario it will make identification much simply than having to track your dental records or swab for DNA and match with a sample from home. This will also reduce the undoubted trauma of your loved ones, who won't be asked to hand over a comb or toothbrush.
2. Make a visual note of your nearest emergency exit. There are typically two toward the front and two toward the back and another four over the wings. As the safety presentation states your nearest exit may actually be behind you. Mentally prepare to head towards the correct one. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is means that you might have to abandon this idea and go with the flow. If everybody is surging forwards there is no way you are going to make it to an exit even one row behind you. either one.
3. Keep essential medications on your person, tucked securely with you and secure your glasses on your person as they are likely fly off entirely on impact. While no longer fashionable a bum / fanny bag will be indispensable for this.
4. Grab extra clothing, like a sweatshirt or jacket, to stay warm afterward, but try to take you carry-on luggage  with you. Evacuation with your essentialsi is your priority.entirely,
5. As the plane comes in brace properly for impact, as instructed by tucking your arms between your legs rather than gripping the armrests, since elbows tend to get injured on impact. Most impact injuries are caused by flailing limbs and incorrect protection of the neck and head area. 

So assuming you have got this far and the plane is on the ground, move away from the aircraft quickly and follow whatever instructions crew members give, but keep in mind that despite their training they're highly likely to be just as disoriented as everyone else in that moment. What matters now is clear heads and cooperation while waiting for the emergency services to arrive.

As a final note of reassurance, despite the headline grabbing major crashes with high death counts, flying is one of the safest ways to travel (second only to city buses I believe) and less than 10% of crashes result in a fatal incident. There is also the prevailing mentality when it comes to aircraft maintenance. The son-in-law of a good friend of mine (in fact I am staying with this very friend for 12 days from the end of next week) works as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and he says that the central mantra especially when compared to car maintenance is that when it comes to aircraft the dominant approach is about "fixing them before they break down".

As always, stay safe and well my friends and especially if you are flying...